A Long Beach man is facing serious charges after being apprehended in a human trafficking investigation at an Anaheim motel. On January 8, officials of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, acting on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, captured 33-year-old Michael Terrell Armstrong, alongside a missing 17-year-old girl he is accused of trafficking for sex. Reports from KTLA detailed how Armstrong was arrested at the motel and charged with multiple felony counts.
Armstrong faces a felony count each of human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor over the age of 16, and pandering with a minor over 16 years old. Investigators reportedly located the teen and Armstrong mere hours following the receipt of the tip. If convicted on all counts, Armstrong, who has previously been convicted for kidnapping, could be sentenced to up to 29 years in state prison, as stated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
In a statement obtained by KTLA, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed the gravity of human trafficking crimes, "The faces of human trafficking are unbelievably the faces of children, the most vulnerable victims who are being exploited by some of the most diabolical predators that exist. Our children are not for sale here in Orange County — or anywhere." Authorities provided the rescued teen with victim services and support, and have set Armstrong's bail at $250,000.
The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force is positioned as a vital arm in fighting against the exploitation of youth, with local police departments, the California Highway Patrol, the FBI, Homeland Security, and other agencies as part of the collaborative force. The Task Force is co-chaired by the Anaheim Police Department and Waymakers, a nonprofit aimed at delivering support to crime victims. According to information provided by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, their efforts emphasize the unwavering commitment to rescue victims and prosecute their traffickers.
For those needing assistance or looking to report potential human trafficking instances, the public is encouraged to reach out to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 888-373-7888 or contact their local law enforcement department. Deputy District Attorney Steven Bunn of the Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit is the lead prosecutor on this case.
